Welcome to Homiletic Dump . . . a place where my old sermons find new life beyond the local congregation for those who are interested.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Shining Before Others (Matthew 5:13-20)

I want to start this morning with two
stories.The first story is about a man
in Enid, Oklahoma by the name of Gary James.Gary James has owned and run the restaurant/bar Gary’s Chicaros for
forty-four years.Lately he has come
under criticism for his outspoken views about people he refuses to serve in his
business.James doesn’t deny that he
thinks some people shouldn’t patronize his restaurant.He proudly wears his opinions on the official
t-shirt he sells at his restaurant that proclaims: that gay people (or as he
calls them, faggots), blacks (which he calls, niggers), other racial minority
groups are not welcome at his restaurant . . . he also threatens violence
against Muslims, Democrats, and people who are on welfare.He don’t care for people with
disabilities.When he banned a disabled
customer, the customer complained.And,
guess what . . . he’s been doing it for over forty years and really doesn’t
care what anyone else thinks.

The second story focuses on the
Olympics being held in Russia and its hospitality to the many visitors from
other nations . . . in particular, its accommodations.In comparison to what we are used to, the
accommodations are way below the standards we think are acceptable according to
our American point of view.The Russians
have taken a beating in the media and on social media to become the laughing
stock of the Western world.The Russian
attempts at being Americanized are subpar and substandard to what most of us
would find acceptable even if we were staying at the local Motel 6 . . . but, we forget . . . what we find appalling is often
the envy of the rest of the world that does not have the quality of life we
have as Americans.What we forget is
that in comparison to the rest of the world, we are wealthy people.

Jesus speaks to us this morning about
letting our light shine out to the rest of the world so that they can see the
goodness of being in a relationship with God.In the face of such a challenge, how does the light shine for the
restaurant owner in Enid, Oklahoma?How
does it shine upon us as Americans when we make fun of how the rest of the
world lives?

That is the challenge that Jesus
places before us this morning as we listen into his continued sermon featuring
last week’s beatitudes . . . let your light shine before men, that they
may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.That is what he said.Some would argue, but I will say, that our
light is our faith.Faith that is based
upon a relationship with God that says that we love and trust not only God, but
all of God’s creation.A faith that is
built upon Jesus’ charge to us to love God completely and to love one another .
. . relationships.We are to let our
relationships of love shine through so that the rest of the world can see how
wonderful it is to be in relationship with God.How we live and love in life is the light that we shine for the rest of
the world to see.

What sort of light does Gary James
shine when he spews his hatred in a land that gives him the right to have his
own opinions?What sort of light do any
of us shine when we laugh and make fun of other nations and their attempts to
be Americanized in their hospitality on the world’s stage?What sort of light are we letting shine for
the rest of the world to see?

Our light shines in the actions that
we take . . . are they actions that reflect the love we have received and
continue to receive from God?Are they
actions that embrace loving others . . . especially those who are the least of
these?Are they actions that welcome the
stranger into our house, the poor into our lives, and the sinner into the
fellowship?Are they actions that
display hospitality to all people—all of God’s children, or are they actions
that demonstrate selectivity, prejudice, and downright exclusion?Are they actions that our Lord and Savior
would do or are they the actions that we tell ourselves society accepts and that
makes it okay?Our actions speak loudly
when it comes to letting our light shine.

So do our words.The old children’s ditty about “sticks and
stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” is a lie.We know that words hurt and can wound just as
bad, and often worse, than sticks or stones.We know that words have the capability to ruin lives.We have all felt the sting of words in our
own lives.Thus we should always be
careful in how we use words . . . and, how we respond to words.Are the words we use inviting, welcoming, accepting,
and inclusive of those around us?Are
the words we use loving, graceful, and respectful of others?Are the words we speak congruent to the way
that we live our lives?Words are
another way in which we let our lights shine in the world.

Here is Jesus telling us that we have
this great relationship with God.Telling us that because we do have this great relationship we should let
the world know about it . . . that we should set it out there so the whole
world can see it.He tells us that we
out to spice up the world with our relationship with God.He tells us to shine before others.Let others know of our loving relationship
with God through the actions that we take and the words that we speak . . .
just as Jesus did for us.

That’s the challenge . . . letting
your light shine.I know that we can all
do it . . . but, if you need a little help . . . well, I suggest to dig back a
few years to your childhood and remember.Remember:This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it
shine . . . let it shine . . . let it shine . . . let it shine.Amen.